"It's said that the President will announce a new forging technique today, one available to all blacksmiths."
Some well-informed blacksmiths explained to the others present who were still in the dark.
This time, Zhen Hua had used his authority as President to invite the Blacksmith Associations from every city. Each city had sent at least three representatives gathered here.
The Association building was large enough, its first floor capable of accommodating hundreds without issue, yet it now felt crowded.
Besides blacksmiths, a large number of media reporters had also gathered, catching wind of the Blacksmith Association's activities.
Zhen Hua—this man absolutely possessed the power to influence the entire continent's situation.
As the only current Divine Blacksmith, if he truly favored any particular faction, he could rapidly build it into a major power. Reaching Shrek Academy's level would be impossible, but creating a force comparable to a legion was entirely within reason.
Precisely because of this, he was also somewhat bound by a form of moral constraint, tethered in place, forced to remain as neutral as possible.
Now, he had used his authority to create such a large commotion, naturally attracting widespread attention.
While it appeared to be an event for blacksmiths and journalists, it actually tugged at the heartstrings of the Spirit Master world and the Battle Armor Master world. Various forces were secretly watching everything unfold.
"Little Ming, are you ready? The Spirit Infusion technique was your idea, and you played a leading role in its development. Having you announce it is completely appropriate. But countless tests will follow."
Hearing this, Su Ming showed no hesitation, responding decisively, "Teacher, I'll do it."
Seeing the determination in Su Ming's eyes, Zhen Hua showed a gratified expression.
"Good."
He took Su Ming down to the first floor via the elevator. As they stepped out, they were surrounded by a crowd.
With Association staff clearing the way, he brought Su Ming to the center of the first floor.
"Everyone, the reason for inviting you all here today is to announce a technique sufficient to shock the blacksmithing world."
Zhen Hua's opening words caused the noisy crowd to fall silent.
What?
The Divine Blacksmith Zhen Hua himself said it was sufficient to shock the blacksmithing world?
One must know that Zhen Hua had publicly explained forging tips, techniques, and his own invented tricks before.
But he had never once described anything as 'shocking the blacksmithing world'.
"Not just shocking. I believe the blacksmithing world will change because of the birth of this technique."
Zhen Hua smiled slightly, slowly stepped back, and pushed Su Ming forward.
Su Ming—an unfamiliar face.
His youthful features inevitably made people doubt his skill.
But at this moment, with Zhen Hua standing behind him, who would dare question him?
Of course, some blacksmiths recognized Su Ming.
Although the audience for the Tianhai Alliance competition years ago was limited, a very small portion within the Sun Moon Federation, Su Ming's achievement of becoming a Spirit Refinement Grandmaster at ten years old had still shocked the entire blacksmithing world.
Even without witnessing it firsthand, many blacksmiths had studied the recording of that forging session.
Su Ming took a step forward, confidence on his face.
His gaze swept briefly across the entire hall.
Without saying a word, he simply walked slowly to the forging platform in the center of the first-floor hall.
This was a platform specially built for Zhen Hua's monthly lectures.
Su Ming's silence further piqued the blacksmiths' interest.
Outside, on the square in front of the building, a crowd dozens of times larger than the one inside the hall looked up at the young man on the spirit tool screen above the square.
They wanted to see what technique the Divine Blacksmith had spoken of.
They were also curious about who this youth was to Zhen Hua, and why he was the one demonstrating this technique claimed to overturn the forging world.
Without a word, Su Ming opened the furnace.
He took out a piece of metal.
A piece of metal that made the blacksmiths present gasp in astonishment—Iron.
A real lump of iron. Ordinary iron!
This wasn't any rare metal that resembled iron; it was indeed just a common, ordinary lump of iron.
For some reason, the blacksmiths present didn't react with intense, loud refusals, nor did anyone speak up to mock him.
It was as if an intangible feeling made the young man's figure seem incredibly tall in the hearts of the blacksmiths.
This was the effect of the Forging Faith.
Su Ming hadn't expected his Forging Faith to have such a use.
Of course, having some peace and quiet was better. He took a deep breath and placed the iron lump into the furnace.
As the iron was heated until red-hot, a forging hammer appeared in his hand.
It was an ordinary forging hammer.
Devoid of any special properties.
Boom!
This hammer strike was full of vigor. The sound of the hammer colliding with the iron lingered, echoing in the blacksmiths' ears.
Just one strike was enough to make people unconsciously immerse themselves in it.
He continued to swing the hammer.
The Light Sphere didn't reveal itself physically but exerted its power within Su Ming's Sea of Consciousness, infusing him with spirituality. This spirituality followed Su Ming's forging hammer, being pounded bit by bit into the iron lump.
The originally平凡 (ordinary) iron lump began to emit an extraordinary glow.
Water.
The surrounding air grew moist. Water elements gathered,as if forming a stream of water that flowed towards the iron lump.
Fire.
The temperature began to rise. A red light shone, forming a fire dragon on the side opposite the water elements, flying towards the iron lump.
Wind.
A cyan airflow swirled, like a gentle breeze brushing against one's face, blowing towards the iron lump.
Earth.
A thick, brownish airflow morphed into a mountain-like image, shifting towards the iron lump.
Light and Darkness, the two elements, also appeared on cue, making the hall alternate between bright and dark.
The six elements converged.
Boom!
The forging hammer fell, and the six elements merged into the iron lump.
Under the storm-like hammering, this piece of ordinary iron actually began to transform, and a glow belonging to spirituality began to bloom.
The Level Three Blacksmiths were still confused, merely shocked that ordinary iron could emit a spiritual radiance.
But any seasoned Level Four Blacksmiths and those of higher ranks were now breathing rapidly.
At this moment, they dared not overlook a single detail.
Their eyes were bloodshot,fixed intently on Su Ming's forging hammer, engraving every angle of each strike deep into their minds.
Su Ming remained silent, merely swinging the forging hammer relentlessly.
The ordinary iron before him bloomed with a six-colored light, and a pillar of spirituality shot skyward.
Six Chi Radiance. Sacred Grade Thousand Refinement.
This was the ultimate level of Thousand Refinement.
Su Ming used this actual achievement to demonstrate the potential of Spirit-Infused Metal.
He closed his eyes, beginning to carefully savor the feeling from moments before.
"This is the power of Forging Faith. With everyone's hearts united, I actually, as if blessed by divine insight, completed this Sacred Grade Thousand Refinement."
Sacred Grade Thousand Refinement—this was not something Su Ming had anticipated. According to his expectations, achieving Three Chi Radiance would be a normal performance, while an exceptional one would be Four to Five Chi Radiance.
As Su Ming closed his eyes, the first-floor hall of the Blacksmith Association fell into silence.
The reporters looked around, very much wanting to be the first to ask Su Ming a series of questions, but they didn't dare make a move.
They had a premonition that if they broke this tranquility now, they would face the merciless expulsion from the blacksmiths around them.
Su Ming kept his eyes closed, immersed in his contemplation, for a full hour.
For this entire hour, the blacksmiths in the first-floor hall, and even those on the outside square, waited quietly.
***
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(Chapter End)